The Weekly Toll: Death in the American Workplace

Our thoughts are with all those affected by a work related incident. We are here to help in any way we can. Please don't hesitate to contact us. Please note that we make every attempt to locate an article to link to each post where we can.

May 6, 2015 - Fredericksburg, VA - Keith Johnson was killed at work when the forklift he was operating overturned on him. He was employed by Hollinger Corporation of Fredericksburg.

May 8, 2015 - Las Vegas, NV - Lawrence Waddell was an employee of Apache Electric of Las Vegas when he was buried in a trench collapse. No other information has been found. 

May 11, 2015 - Powell, OH - Marcellus Tolliver died on the job when he was crushed by a sand hopper that fell from a forklift. He was working at The Columbus Coal & Lime Co. at the time of his death.

May 11, 2015 - Jasper, MN - 50 year old Sharla Drew (left) is being called a hero when she went into a barn that was on fire in an attempt to rescue 32 year old Kristy Giesler, both of Jasper. Drew was an employee for New Horizon Farms. Giesler, who worked for VanHawk Power Washing of Jasper, was power washing a barn at the farm when something sparked a fire. It appears Drew ran into the barn to rescue Giesler and both perished in the fire.

May 11, 2015 - Bloomington, CA - 63 year old Judge William Lightfoot of Henderson, NV was working a job in Bloomington when he was struck and crushed by a 75 ton crane boom that he was operating. He was a master crane operator who had 40 years of experience in the industry and worked many well known construction sites in Las Vegas. He was employed by Reliable Crane Services of Bloomington at the time of his death. 

May 11, 2015 - Salt Lake City, UT - 51 year old Richard "Richie" Pierce died following a fall from a ladder at a Layton Construction Company work site. It is not clear as to how or why he fell. He was employed by SME Steel Contractors, Inc., a subcontractor on the job.


May 11, 2015 - Louisville, KY - Kristopher Cook was killed on the job when he was crushed between a machine guard and a metal lift post of a conveyor machine. He was employed by Cardinal Aluminum Co. 



May 13, 2015 - Miami, OK - 50 year old Tracey Allen Williams of Afton was killed on the job when he was crushed inside a machine when it became re-energized. He was a maintenance employee for Scepter Manufacturing, LLC of Miami.


May 14, 2015 - Devine, TX - 33 year old Elias Contreras was working on a restaurant sign from a basket of a truck-mounted aerial life when he fell from the lift. He fell approximately 100 feet. The reason why is unknown. He was employed by General Signs, Inc. of Devine.

May 14, 2015 - Hilbert, WI - Thomas Ramirez was fatally crushed by an overhead door while working. He was employed by Holsum Dairies, LLC of Hilbert. No other information was available.

May 14, 2015 - Lexington, KY - Chiu Kin Wing was killed on the job when he was crushed by a piece of granite that fell from a forklift. He was employed by Tyson Stone, Inc. in Lexington.

May 14, 2015 - Louisa, KY - 50 year old Thomas Lee Dickerson of Kiahsville, WV was working to unload logs from a semi truck when he was struck by one of the logs. He was employed by Wayne Lumber and Mulch in Louisa.

May 14, 2015 - Jacksonville, FL - 42 year old Alexander Cordova of Tampa was working for Big Ben Transport, Inc., a subcontractor working on the I-295 Expansion Project when he was crushed by a 7 1/2 ton concrete panel. He was the driver of a transport vehicle filled with sound barriers. He was standing next to the semi truck when one of the concrete panels fell from the truck.

May 15, 2015 - Caneyville, KY - 38 year old Jamie Dwayne Woosley of Morgantown was killed on the job when the vehicle he was driving sped down a road, struck an embankment and overturned, partially ejecting Woosley. He was employed by Otis Bryant and Sons, Inc. (Bryant Farms) of Leitchfield. 




May 16, 2015 - Carlinville, IL - Vernon England died on the job when the tractor he was operating slid into a ravine and overturned. He was employed by Marcus Davis, a landscape company. No further information is known.

May 17, 2015 - Quanah, TX - Mario Ramos Ortiz was killed on the job when he was struck by a drill casing. He was employed by Steinberger Drilling Co, Ltd. No other information is known.

May 19, 2015 - Channelview, TX - Stan Shylkofski was killed on the job when he was crushed when a tractor overturned. He was employed by LaBarge Coating, LLC. No other information was found.

May 21, 2015 - Prairieville, LA - 38 year old Courtney Jones of Yazoo, MS was fatally electrocuted as he was installing cablevision and internet lines along a roadway. Due to heavy vegetation and his back to power lines he did not see that he was going to come into contact with them.